Death Mark II - Chapter One - Part 3

 Don't forget to check out the first or previous part if you haven't!

In the last part, we've completed our investigation of the new building's first floor, including a general toilet inspection for any haunted clogs (we didn't find any right now, but I promise you they'll appear later in the game :^]). However, we were unable to find the missing Izumi or even a single glimpse of the spirit we're after. But, everything may change once we move to the old building. Let's begin, shall we?

[Before anything, let me add some context, Izumi went missing and wasn't found anywhere in the new building]

                  "...Oops."

[The principal, however, let it slip that there exists an old building, which while kept locked during the night, is unlocked during the day, making it another possible location for Izumi's whereabouts]

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Where's the old building?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "No comment."

                  "It has nothing to do with this case. It's a delicate subject, so pardon me."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "......"

[But the principal doesn't like the thought of going there, but maybe he'll turn over once he realizes there's nowhere else to search]

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Let's leave soon. I'm worried for Izumi."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Where will we investigate next, Yashiki-kun?"

                  "It can't be the old building we talked about, right?"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "I intend to. You don't have any other places in mind, do you?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Well..."

                  "That place's locked. There's no way Izumi-kun is in there."

                  "There's no point in going there, I say."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Even if you're right, it doesn't matter. We still have to confirm that."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Sigh, you're very stubborn, aren't you."

                  "I get it. Do as you like.

                   An amateur in spiritual matters has to follow the expert's opinion."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Headmaster, how can I go to the old building?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "The door right to the side of the music room

                   leads into a connecting passageway."

                  "Going straight ahead will lead you to the old building."

[Pretty simple, huh? You'd expect more from someone in a position of power like him, but in this situation, being more open-minded isn't a bad thing. Let's leave the infirmary and go there now]

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Speaking of which, Yashiki-kun."

                  "What weapons are you carrying?"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Weapons?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "We're dealing with ghosts, remember?

                   You have to have talismans, holy water, and all kinds of stuff."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Maybe an exorcism or demon purification expert would bring those, but..."

                  "I don't have anything like that."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Hrm, how unreliable."

                  "It can't be helped. Let me give you this."

The principal pulled out a small knife in a leather sheath.

It contains an old silver knife with a peony flower engraved on the handle.

It seems to have value as an antique. However, the blade is too thin to be of practical use.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "This knife is part of my grandfather's, the founder of this Academy's, collection."

                  "It was used as a charm to ward off evil. It might even work on ghosts."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "You're very well prepared, headmaster. I thought you didn't believe in ghosts."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "J-just in case, you know... I'm a very well-prepared man."

                  "Look, just take it."

 

"Obtained "Konoehara's Knife"."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Don't treat it too roughly, okay?"

                  "It's a memento of my grandfather's legacy that I received at his bequest."

 

Konoehara's Knife:

 A small, ornate knife that belonged to Seizou Konoe. The handle is carved with a peony pattern and the blade is made of aged silver.

 Details: No information

 Obtained from: Seizou Konoe

 Weight: 190 grams

 

[We can't equip it, sadly. But, that's not going to stop us from going to the old building]

[Here's the passageway's entrance]

This appears to be the passageway connecting the two school buildings.

But the surroundings are so dark that I can't see much.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "This hallway and the old wing are unlit.

                   Probably because of the electrical problem."

                  "I left it alone because it didn't do any real harm, but... now I'm regretting it."

The principal shrugged his shoulders with a "good grief".

Seizou Konoe:

                  "We'll be relying on your flashlight to do the investigation. I'll leave it to you."

[This is the only search point here]

There's a path that leads to outside the passageway.

It extends towards the sports ground and clock tower in the back of the school, and toward the courtyard in the front.

[We continue forward for a few steps, but suddenly we stop]

A human silhouette appears ahead in the passageway...

Male Student:

                  "Gaaaahhh..."

                  "Shit... shit... shit... my head... it hurts..."

There stands a single male student.

He swears while holding his head in agony.

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "You're... Izumi-kun?"

Male Student:

                  "Uhh?"

Responding to my call, his eyes turn toward us.

And he nods slightly.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "A-are you OK? Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "Please leave me alone... ahh..."

                  "......"

Izumi groans in pain and falls silent. It seems that it's agonizing for him to even speak.

But, we can't leave him like this. What do we do...?

>Ask about his circumstances

>Talk about Douryou

>Ask about Shibito

[I think talking about Shibito will cause him to at least give some info, I doubt he'll be helpful no matter what though]

>Ask about Shibito

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  " "Shibito's calling me"... I heard that you said something like that."

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "...Shibito? You said Shibito?"

                  "Yeah, I know about that... Hihi!"

Izumi lets out a creepy laugh. His voice is strangely high-pitched, losing its normal intonation.

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "Shibito, well..."

                  "It had the nerve to hide in the school so it could find a "companion"..."

                  "It pretends to be human... You can't even tell it from the real thing..."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "P-please stop it with the jokes..."

                  "That's just gossip... Ridiculous!"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "I'm not lying... Besides, I..."

                  "Know who Shibito is..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Wha!? Who-"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "But, it's already too late..."

                  "I made a mistake... Shibito hates me now..."

                  "I keep hearing its voice echo in my head... "DIEDIEDIE" it says..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Oy, Izumi!"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "Why did this happen to me... Shit... Shit... Shit..."

 

Izumi is terribly confused. Is our voice not reaching him?

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Please, calm down. We can only help you if you cooperate-"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "Shut up! Shut up! Shut uuuuup!"

                  "There's no more time! For me!"

                  "I don't want to die yet! That's why..."

                  "This time for sure! I'm going to beat the shit out of Hanako in the music room!"

Izumi ran to the end of the corridor, in the direction of the old building.

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Izumi!!"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "T-the music room..."

                  "It couldn't be the old building's music room, could it..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Wait a sec. The old building also has a music room?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Yes, but it's been out of commission for a while."

 

[Sting]

Something's been dropped around where Izumi was standing.

These are... brass knuckles I believe, they're a type of weapon attached to the fist."

No such thing was in Izumi's hand as far as I could see. Did it fall out of his pocket?

Seizou Konoe:

                  "He was terrified of Shibito... Perhaps it was for self-defense."

                  "Yashiki-kun, you're going to collect this as well?"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Yeah, just in case."

 

"Obtained "Self-defense Knuckles"."

Self-defense Knuckles:

 A weapon used to enhance the striking power of the fists, dropped by a delirious Izumi. Also known as an American sack. [The Japanese equivalent to 'knuckle dusters']

 Details: No information

 Obtained from: First Floor Passageway

 Weight: 105 grams

 

[Yes, he really did say he was going to beat a ghost to death, and here's how he was gonna do it. Let's ignore this for now. We return to the side view perspective, at which point I go to the end of the passageway]

The old building's door is unlocked...

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Why is it unlocked... It should have been locked in the evening..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "That doesn't matter now."

                  "Let's go inside..."

The structure of the old building is similar to the new one. However, the atmosphere was quite different.

The walls are stained with mold and dust, and cobwebs are everywhere.

This place hasn't been properly cleaned, and it also seems to have faulty ventilation.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Cough... what poor air."

                  "Let's leave the door open. Yashiki-kun, please take care of it."

 

I reach out for the entrance door.

[Clack clack]

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "?  What the..."

                  "Why isn't it opening..."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "That's foolish..."

 

No matter how much force I put into it, the door won't budge...

Seizou Konoe:

                  "W-what is this...?"

                  "Impossible... are we trapped here?"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "......"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Yashiki-kun! What do we do!?"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "I don't know. But... If push comes to shove,

                   there's always the option of breaking it down."

                  "However, we should prioritize finding Izumi, headmaster."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "T-that's right... I understand."

                  "The music room is in the same place as in the new building,

                   at the end of the first floor's hall.

                   The special classrooms are all in the same location in both buildings."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "In order words... right next to the door, huh?"

The old building's music room is right in front of us.

[Sting]

I can hear a voice coming from the other side of the door...

"...Hih...hiiiih......"

"...She came......she's here..."

"...Please help me...help meee..."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "H-hey! Yashiki-kun!"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Let's go!"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                   "My hand! My hand! My hand's gaaaaaahhhh!!"

The moment I opened the door, the scene I witnessed was...

Sewage, spewing from rubber hoses, cutting off Izumi's hand...

Ignoring gravity, the rubber hoses sway through the air...

From them, the sewage becomes akin to a warped whip, sending off an intense blow...

But no matter how vigorous the water is, it should be impossible to cut off a part of the human body...

It's absolutely... unthinkable...

However, "that" is happening right before my eyes...

There's no time for hesitation... I have to admit it...

This anomalous phenomenon... this is reality, caused by a spiritual disturbance...

[Glop]

The sewage and hoses surge with great force...

Are they planning to release yet another powerful strike!?

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Izumi! What are you doing!? Avoid it!"

Toshihiko Izumi:

                  "!?"

[Woosh]

In response to my cry, Izumi turns his body to dodge.

The sewage's attack misses him by the skin of his teeth.

The half-crazed Izumi runs past us and out of the music room.

As if following him, the hoses also disappear into the darkness.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Wh...wha..."

                  "What was that... just now..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "I-I don't know..."

                  "But we should worry about that later. Right now, Izumi is..."

[Two drops are heard]

                  "...Hm? What's that? The sound of water droplets?"

[One drop is heard]

                  "This is the music room, why would water be..."

[One, then five drops are heard, and...]

[AUUUGH!]

Numerous hoses are wrapped around the principal's neck, trying to hoist him up...

Seizou Konoe:

                  "...Ugh, Unghhh..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "I-impossible..."

Hoses extended from the darkness of the ceiling, seizing the principal by the neck...

They hang around his neck like snakes filled with murderous intent...

Seizou Konoe:

                  "...Gah... H-help... Cough!"

If it goes on like this, the principal's life will be at risk.

I need to do something about the hoses immediately...

[Here's this game's 'Live or Die'. I'll explain how it works as we see the mechanics themselves]

Maybe one of the tools in my bag will be able to do something.

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Now, something has to be done quickly..."

                  "But if I'm going to do something, either I'll have to act, or..."

[Each 'Act' is divided into three choices: between the 'Actor', the Tool that will be used, and what they'll do with the Tool. Unlike in previous games, no specific companion is necessary for these segments, but they can make a difference depending on the situation, more on that later]

"What do we do about the hoses entangled around the principal's neck?"

>Yashiki

>Konoe

[Yashiki's not being hung, so he's probably the better choice]

>Yashiki

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Alright, what do I do next..."

                  "Something that might work, all I can think of is..."

>Self-defense Knuckles

>Konoehara's Knife

[Simple enough]

>Konoehara's Knife

[Here's where things get a bit more complicated. Each action has an 'Execution Rate', which is the probability of it working, and a cost. The cost takes away from the character(s)'s Spirit. The Execution Rate adds RNG to your actions, making it so that you have to roll the dice even when you choose correctly. However, it's actually pretty simple to get Spirit back, we can go back to the infirmary at the press of a button. Not only that, but the game introduces other mechanics that can make these segments more forgiving, like how losing a roll increases the Rate by 20% for next time. I'm not particularly sure what my opinion on having RNG in this situation is, but I'm mostly okay with it]

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "In that case, what should I do with the tool I chose..."

                  "I should think of the most appropriate course of action

                   to get us out of this situation."

>Screw in-between hoses - Execution Rate: 078% - Cost: 02

>Cut the hoses - Execution Rate: 084% - Cost: 03

>Cut the hoses

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Okay, let's try it..."

                  "But considering the situation, there's nobody who would be able to act calmly."

                  "I might make a mistake while trying to do

                   what I decided on due to impatience and nervousness..."

[Also, I won't show any failures or wrong choices, although some can be pretty funny]

I put the knife up to the hose that was suspending the principal and attempt to cut it...

Using a sawing motion, cut the hose with the knife little by little...

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Alright, I think I can get you out."

The hose gradually rips open...

[Sound of wet rubber being cut]

Finally, it snaps with a sound!

I continue, cutting each hose in order...

[The same sound is heard, then a silver crack]

Just as I cut the last one, the knife snapped in half...

"Lost "Konoehara's Knife"." [Oopsie]

[Thud]

Seizou Konoe:

                  "...Haa...hoo, haa..."

                  "S-somehow, I was saved..."

 

The principal was released from the binding of the hoses.

It seems this choice was correct.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Haa... Really, I was about to have my head in a noose,

                   and I wasn't even in a financial slump."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Oy, that's not a good omen."

                  "But I'm glad that you weren't hurt."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Haha, I've always been a lucky guy."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Okay, now let's go after Izumi."

[No breaks, eh? But unlike them, I'll stop here. We're near another big happening, so I'll save it for next time, I don't want to bloat this already important post. And, one more thing about the Suspensive Acts: I haven't shown everything about them, so please wait before concluding your opinion on them.]

Anyway, see you next time!

Death Mark II - Chapter One - Part 2

 Don't forget to check out the previous part if you haven't!

Let me shortly summarize what happened last time, which I'll do at the beginning of all other posts from now on. We play as Yashiki, employed by a prestigious academy's headmaster to deal with a character called Shibito. This spirit posts letters on the school's bulletin board warning of a student's death at the hands of other spirits, hypothesized to be under its control. After introducing himself to Yashiki, the headmaster Konoe follows us as we encountered a student who remained after dark, Douryou, in search of a lost colleague, Izumi. Now, we'll follow their search for this missing student. Let's begin, shall we?

[Let's continue searching around. Maybe we'll find some more topics]

This is a well-made teacher's desk and podium.

I can imagine a professor standing here, teaching a class to their students.

[Nothing more here]

[Now, unto the next class]

The desks are lined up neatly, without a single irregularity.

Through this, I can feel the pride of the prestigious school.

[These classrooms are pretty empty, maybe the hall has something interesting]

A large bulletin board is installed here. It was here where the first warning letter was posted.

When I turned over the print, I saw a scratch on the back, as if a blade had been used to pierce it.

And by looking closely, I could see a faint red mark.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Honestly, I wouldn't have even called you if that letter hadn't been posted here."

[Oh yeah, like I said on the disclaimer page, although each Search Point remains the same no matter the partner, they'll speak shortly about them, in some cases, we can learn some interesting stuff from these dialogues, but I'm planning on translating the Search Points only once, but you'll be able to check them to your heart's content once the English release's out, so don't worry!]

This is the main entrance to the new building. The school gate is just beyond it.

On both sides are rows of student shoe lockers.

The bulletin board is posted with notices addressed to all students.

"Dear students. The school has currently banned staying on school overnight."

"Please leave the school as soon as you're dismissed."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "It's an unavoidable step in the face of the strange incidents that have occurred."

                  "I know it sounds fussy, but as a school, we can't afford not to take action."

[Let's see the next Search Point, it is...]

[The girls' bathroom... Yup, we're gonna get fired]

This is the women's bathroom. By nature, this is a place where men aren't allowed inside.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Hum, for the honest Douryou-kun, she could never imagine a boy being in here."

                  "It's possible she still hasn't searched here. However..."

                  "Wouldn't it be problematic if we went inside?"

[The middle text just repeated Konoe's dialogue, so I'll skip it whenever it's like this too]

>It's for the sake of the investigation.

>It would certainly be bad.

>Don't worry about it.

[Okay, this will probably lead us further into the story, but I want to check around a bit more for whatever this game's equivalent of talismans is, so let's be decent people. This time]

>It would certainly be bad.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Good grief, I'm relieved. Had you not had this level of common sense,

                   I don't know what I would've done."

                  "...But this is an emergency. We should probably look into this place too."

                  "As long as you and I keep our mouths shut, they won't find out, got it?"

[After hearing Konoe's suspicious comment, we are forced to enter the restroom, when we hear a familiar sting]

All of the sudden, the electric lights went out...

It's timed as if to deny our advance forward...

No way... could "something" be lurking here?

 

Seizou Konoe:

                  "How annoying. They went out again."

 

Abruptly, the principal spoke up in a dull voice.

 

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Lately, we've been having problems with the electrical system.

                   This happens a lot."

                  "I've been trying to set an appointment with a repairman, but it's been difficult."

                  "As you can see."

                  "But it's not big enough to be what your circles would call a

                   "spiritual disturbance", haha."

                  "Either way, we can't see much like this."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Please wait a minute."

[Shuffling sounds]

I open my bag and pull out my trusty flashlight.

 

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Oh ho, you took precautions."

                  "As expected of a professional ghost hunter.

                   Investigating in the dark must be your specialty."

[The flashlight is automatic on the sideview segments, it'll point to any Seach Points nearby in the direction Yashiki's facing, as you can see below]

My face, now with a bad complexion, is dimly reflected in the mirror.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Are you tired? Your expression isn't very cheerful."

[Before we check the open stalls, let's see what else is in here]

This appears to be the place where they keep the cleaning supplies used to clean the toilets.

Mops and brushes are neatly and orderly lined up, let's not touch them unnecessarily.

[And nothing else. Let's check the toilets one by one then]

[Nothing in this one, except a toilet]

There are no stains on the inside of the toilet bowl. It's clean and polished.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "I'm not comfortable looking into a toilet like this, even if it is necessary."

[Same here, same toilet, same dialogue]

[In the last stall, we find something new]

A red marker has been dropped on the floor.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Yashiki-kun, have you noticed the writing on the wall?

                   It may have been drawn on using this."

                  "Scribbling on the wall and then tossing away the evidence..."

                  "Our prestigious name weeps, I tell you."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Hey, headmaster."

                  "This marker, may I collect it?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "What? Collect it?"

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Yeah. Maybe it has a connection to our current search."

It's no more than rule of thumb, but...

Many objects found in places where spiritual beings reside have a material connection to them.

Even a commercial marker like this could be a clue indicating the existence of a spirit.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "...Alright. Do as you please."

                  "It must be tough being a ghost hunter. You have to pick up so much stuff."

"Obtained "Red Marker"."

[Just like how I did in the last post, whenever we get something new, I'll translate it ASAP]

Red Marker:

 Explanation - An oil-based marker with red ink that had been dropped by the graffiti in the bathroom. Since it's oil-based, once written on, it cannot be removed with water.

 Details - No information

 Obtained from - New Building First Floor - Girl's Bathroom

 Weight - 63 grams

[Now, let's check the graffiti Konoe talked about]

I looked over to the wall and saw traces of what looked like graffiti that had been erased.

I think I can manage to read it, even if it's only a portion.

** gross and annoying

I hope you die soon **

Sounds like an insulting remark naming someone, but the name part was so faded I couldn't read it.

[Toilet flushes, then a female voice whispers something incomprehensible. After that, Yashiki takes 2 damage. Yep, you heard me, we can actually take damage outside of encounters in this game, but we can always heal to full at the infirmary, as long as we can return to it, that is]

Out of nowhere, the toilet flushed...

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Hey, headmaster..."

                  "Is there a problem with not just the lights, but also the toilets in this place?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "No, none I've heard of."

                  "You probably just pushed the lever without noticing it."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "......"

When the water flushed down, I heard a voice...

A girl's voice, she said, "give it back"...

And at that moment, I felt my vitality drain away...

I don't think that was just my imagination... Could it be that I came in contact with a spiritual entity?

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Well, Yashiki-kun... I think this investigation has been long enough."

                  "I don't feel very comfortable here. Let's get out of here right about now.

                   What do you say?"

[I agree, we still need to check the other toilet, for the investigation y'know.

But before we can do that...]

I heard piano notes coming off from somewhere...

Seizou Konoe:

                  "......"

                  "I didn't hear anything. It must have been my imagination, yup."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Headmaster, where's this school's music room?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "T-that's... Uhh..."

                  "Just ahead of us... yeah."

[Don't care, toilet time]

Looking into the urinals, they appear to be well-cleaned with no noticeable stains.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Wonderful, splendid, it has been perfectly cleaned, hasn't it?"

[That's all]

[Here's the music room, at the other end of the hall, after some stairs we couldn't climb for now]

As I enter the music room, I take a quick look around.

But, I don't see a person anywhere.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Look at that, there's nobody here!"

                  "That means the piano couldn't be played.

                   Surely, that must have been our imagination."

                  "That's the logical conclusion, haha!"

The voice of the triumphant headmaster echoes in the empty classroom.

But is there really nobody here? I'd better take a look around.

[Let's check the paintings first]

Portraits of famous musicians adorn the walls. Some smile, others frown.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "I don't think their eyes are going to glow no matter how much you stare at them."

[That's a reference to the classic seven school mysteries.]

A black-lacquered grand piano is placed here.

Could this really play itself? I should investigate it in detail.

[The game then prompts a tutorial explaining the options we can choose in these detailed investigations. There are four options: Investigate, Tool, Special, and Finish. They're mostly obvious, but the Special option depends on the object we're searching, you'll see it soon enough]

>Investigate

It's a vintage piano, appropriate for a historic school building.

The aristocratic bearing, with its dull luster, is fitting for the main attraction of this music room.

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "The lid's open on the keyboard."

                  "I think I could play the piano with this."

[There, this object's Special option is "Play"]

>Play

I extend my fingers towards the keyboard...

[BAM]

[Yashiki and Konoe also took 3 damage]

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Yashiki-kun! You scared me!"

                  "I thought my heart was going to stop, jeez... I'm so exhausted out of a sudden..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "S-sorry."

The moment I played it, both the principal and I felt sick to our stomachs...

Then the paintings suddenly feel down... It's too good to be a coincidence...

Perhaps what happened now was a spiritual disturbance. I should once again search this room.

[The fallen paintings just reiterate Yashiki's dialogue, but this paper wasn't here before]

There is a poster on the floor. It must have been peeled off from the bulletin board nearby.

I was curious, so I picked it up.

Dear Concert Band Members

"Notice of Assignment Change"

We would like to inform you that a change has been made regarding the piano player for our concert band's performance of the Academy's anthem during the ceremony.

Details are as follows:

Before change - 2-B Hanako Akai

After change - 2-C Toshihiko Izumi

That is all.

"Obtained "Music Room's Poster"."

Music Room Poster:

 Explanation - A piece of paper put up to announce the reassignment of a school anthem performer.

 Details - Information can be confirmed [This means you can read the tool normally]

 Obtained from - New Building First Floor - Music Room

 Weight - 4 grams

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "This is bad..."

                  "If Shibito's warning is genuine, Izumi may be its target."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Wait a second, Yashiki-kun. You have some grounds for that, right?"

>Izumi is a member of the concert band

 >Izumi is a second-year student

 >Izumi is a piano player

 

[...]

 >Izumi is a piano player

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "The warning letter tells all. "Playpiano will be killed" or so it said."

                  "That Izumi plays piano. What do you think?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "I-I'm sure it's just a coincidence. There's no way Shibito exists..."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Izumi, or Playpiano, was afraid of Shibito. Not to mention that he disappeared

                   the same night the warning letter arrived."

                  "Can you declare this a coincidence, headmaster?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Ngh..."

                  "Guh... cough-cough..." [This line had a voiceover and disappeared as soon as it was done]

Suddenly, the principal had a coughing fit.

His face was drenched in sweat. With a poor complexion, he looked as if about to collapse.

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Hey, are you okay?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "I'm fine... or so I wish. Since a few minutes back,

                   I've had heart palpitations and shortness of breath."

                  "I need a glass of water, or even better, a stimulating brandy, to calm my nerves."

                  "Sorry for this, but I'm going to rest in the infirmary."

I saw the infirmary in the specialized building. I guess we'll have to go back.

[Running will help him calm down, I'm sure!]

After leaving the new building, we arrive at the specialized building.

We then headed for the first floor's infirmary.

The infirmary looked like any other school's infirmary.

Here, we can drink water and lie down on a bed. It's the perfect place for a break.

Since we're resting, I should strike up a conversation with the principal. I would like to set a course of action for the investigation.

[Alright, let's analyze the options we have.

First is "Talk", simple enough, we'll talk with our companions and whoever's in the infirmary at the time.

Then we have "Change", changing companions.

Third is "Trade"... This one is a doozy, but I'll give you a simple explanation, this is where we can get items to help us in Suspensive Acts, the 'Live or Die's of this game.

Fourth is "Save" and last is "Exit", both obvious.

Now that we're done, let's continue with the story]

>Talk

Seizou Konoe:

                  "At last, I can take a breather. Sorry for the bother."

                  "So, is there anything you want to ask me?"

>Ask about him.

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Good grief, I'm beaten."

                  "I didn't expect to go through something like this

                   immediately after becoming headmaster."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "When was it that you came here?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Hey, it was just a few days ago."

                  "My inauguration was actually scheduled for next year,

                   however, it moved up due to my predecessor's death."

>Bring up a Topic

>Shibito

Seizou Konoe:

                  "I already told you everything I knew about it."

                  "As far as I'm concerned, I'd like to settle this whole Shibito fiasco ASAP."

                  "So many students overreact when ghosts, things that don't even exist, are brought up."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Are you referring to Douryou from earlier?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Yeah, that girl's like that too. But she's only a mild case."

                  "Some even skip school because they're too obsessed with the idea of "being targeted next"."

                  "I just want to put an end to this, really."

>Hanako

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Ah, that's the spirit spoken of in the warning letter, yes?"

                  "I just can't believe that such a thing could be in our school."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "If the student's rumors are correct, then "Hanako" apparently is Hanako of the toilet."

                  "And, if we are to believe the letter..."

                  "It seems that Hanako is being used by Shibito to attack the students."

Seizou Konoe:

                  "This is getting more and more unbelievable."

                  "Ghosts are using other ghosts to attack people? It's just like a cartoon, isn't it, haha."

>Toshihiko Izumi

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Where did you go, Izumi-kun?"

                  "If we're to believe Douryou-kun, then he's not anywhere in the special and new buildings."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Where else is left?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "Uhm... Maybe the old bulding."

                  "But, that place's unused right now,

                   and there's no reason for Izumi-kun to break into it at night."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Do you keep it locked?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "At night. But it's often kept open during the day. It's because it's used as a storeroom."

                  "As for me, I'd rather keep it locked even during the day."

                  "I mean, after an incident like that..."

                  "...Oops."

After that, the principal stopped speaking. He had a face that said, "damn it".

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "Where's the old building?"

Seizou Konoe:

                  "No comment."

                  "It has nothing to do with this case. It's a delicate subject, so pardon me."

Kazuo Yashiki:

                  "......"

[Let's stop here for now, this may seem sudden, but a ton of stuff happens in the old building, and I don't want to bloat this post, so I'll save them for the next one. Also, for those interested in this and my other blog, you can check my twitter for updates, both links are in the side bar.]

Anyway, see you next time!